Mineral King
The winter passed quickly, and eager prospectors pushed their way up the East Fork canyon well before the snows melted in the spring of 1874. During the warm weather of July and August, the subalpine valley the miners optimistically called "Mineral King" swarmed with humanity. Cabins and houses were erected from lumber cut nearby, and by the end of the season 166 additional mining claims had been filed; the value of claims sold during the year was recorded at more than $36,500. Although more than 200 mining claims had now been filed in the district, no real mines had been developed. Mine development required that the many small claims be consolidated into workable units and that adequate capital be raised to construct a road to the district and a smelter to treat the ores. At the end of 1874 none of these necessary events had occurred. However, the following year, 1875, saw the arrival of the New England Tunnel and Smelting Company, which hoped to carry out the necessary consolidation and development work. During the second full summer of the Mineral King excitement, the New England Company energized the district with hope. Consolidation began through purchase and trade. A number of prospectors traded their claims for stock in the new company. The company carried out exploration work on its holdings, especially the White Chief Mine, and talk continued about building a road and ore processing mill. One hundred and forty additional claims were recorded during 1875, and optimism remained high.
